27.9.16

NCC makes N47b from spectrum sale, usage

• Warns telcos over preregistered SIMsThe Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it
realised N47billion from the sale of spectrum to telcos in the country
in the past one year.
NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Garba Dambatta who addressed a
world press conference yesterday at its Abuja head office, said the
eight-point agenda unveiled one year ago under his leadership is being
pursued with passion. He said broadband penetration, which was the
cornerstone of the agenda, has improved tremendously, moving from
between eight and 10 per cent to 20.95 per cent, while internet
penetration has hit 47.44 per cent which is second only to South Africa.
He said: “The Commission has encouraged the refarming of the various
frequencies to improve their efficiency. Through this process, some
service providers who were hitherto providing services on the 1800
megahertz (MHz) spectrum band have been allowed to refarm and deploy
services on the 4GLTE band. Through this, the Commission has been able
to revive some of the companies whose services have been hampered by the
characteristics of the frequencies.
“Through efficient monitoring and value-driven usage of spectrum for
provision of different types of service, revenue generation for the
Federal Government through frequency allocation and renewal fees have
improved in the previous years. More than N47billion was realised in
spectrum usage and licensing within the period under review.”
Dambatta who attributed the feat to the eight-point agenda he
outlined for the Commission on his assumption of office in August last
year, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of
Communications Adebayo Shittu for their support for the NCC and its new
leadership.
He said the eight-point agenda which was factored upon the tripod of
availability of service, accessibility of service and affordability has
started to yield the desired results as the telecom sector now
contributes more than 10 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of
the country.
The NCC chief also warned mobile network operators (MNOs) subscriber
identity module (SIM) card preregistration reminding them of the
consequences of their action. He said the development was complicating
the security situation in the country as unscrupulous elements use
preregistered SIM cards to call the families of their kidnapped victims
to negotiate ransom. He warned that the NCC has moved beyond direction
on this to enforcement which he said is always the last resort.
Dambatta said the telecom sector had not only witnessed all round
improvement and growth, but that specific areas of challenge such as
infrastructure development, broadband penetration, improved services
from service providers and development of regulatory frameworks were
addressed headlong.